Port hole seals

[PeterBld]

We have a Cal 2-46. Six port holes with the original seal. They are now 40 years old and end of life. Any one know where we can get replacement seals from. The seals are held in by a plate screwed to the shutter. They are not the round or tubular type.

 

[kloudie1]

Peter, could ya post a picture, kind of close up of the seal and port. Cal used "off the shelf" ports , so someone here may recognize them and have a suggestion..

 

[PeterBld]

Thanks. See above. The glass and the seal are held in place by a ring (about 10mm wide) and six screws.
We live in Whitianga which if you check is in the bundu (i.e. The back of beyond) so access to parts is tricky here. We head offshore to the South Pacific for a few years soon. So good port holes are important

 

[PeterBld]

This is a cross section

 

[ggrizzard]

Did you call Dave here at the SBO store?

 

[PeterBld]

No. Does he have an email address? Do you think he may be able to assist.?

 

[ggrizzard]

Go to top of this page, click on "Parts", look for contact telephone number and email address info.
And yes, I think Dave can help you source the portlight parts.

 

[ggrizzard]

Go to the top of this page, click on "Parts" and look at the top of that page for phone number and email address contact info.
And yes, Dave can help you sort the portlight parts.

 

[JamesG161]

They are now 40 years old and end of life

Well, don't let aged looks mean the end of service (kinda like ME).
If the rubber is HARD and zero flex, then probably the end. If you can't find a pretty new one, then you may have to settle for a renewed mating/sealing surface (I won't continue with the analogy).
There are many sealers like LifeCaulk the are made for just that reason. Also rubber compatible paints, will pretty it up.
Rubber becomes harder with UV exposure and heat. A bowling ball is made from hardened rubber.
Good Luck!
Jim...

 

[centerline]

a couple of things.... when I have not been able to find a new gasket, but the old one is still kinda usable (like the one you show), I have coated it thinly with 4200 or 5200 and let it cure out.... then put the part back into service as normal. it holds the old crispy gasket together and creates a good seal again.
the 5200 needs to be worked in good to fill as many of the little check marks in the old gasket as possible.
I have used silicone also, but the 3M product seems to be better.

but if you are intent on finding new ones, and yet find the parts are no longer available, you can take one of your old ones (or the hatch lens) to a gasket supply or gasket specialties place in your area and have some custom cut to your pattern, out of any type of material and thickness you want.